Contour lines are lines connecting points of equal elevation on a map. They never terminate, cross, or branch. Closely spaced contours indicate steep slopes, while widely spaced contours show gentle slopes. Contours form a V or U shape when crossing streams and trend up valleys.

1. Hafez ahmad1
Contour line: a line on a map joining points of equal height above or below sea level
Basic Rules of Topographic Contours
Contours are lines of equal elevation. All points on a contour are at the same elevation.
1. They never terminate (although they may go off the edge of the map. Also, they may be omitted in
certain situations for clarity, as in the case of a steep slope where the contours bunch together).
Contours always close eventually. The one-meter contour may circle all the way around Europe,
Africa and Asia, but it will close.
2. They never cross (the only exceptions, overhanging cliffs or natural arches, are so rare that they
have no practical importance.) If contours crossed,it would mean the same point had two different
elevations.
3. They never branch or split.
4. Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes, conversely, contour lines that are spaced far
apart represent gentle slopes.
5. Contour lines trend up valleys and form a "V" or a "U" where they cross a stream.